Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Moscow, SANA – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Syria is the “sole bearer of the sovereignty of the Syrian people,” stressing that the consent of the government of Syria must be guaranteed if the recently formed international alliance was to take any action against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist organization.
“If this kind of action [by the alliance] is really needed, then it’s essential to achieve a common position and get the go-ahead from the legitimate government of Syria,” said Medvedev in an interview with the American CNBC TV channel aired on Wednesday.
He noted that Russia’s attitude towards the anti-ISIS international alliance is not related to the stance of the US on Syria as the latter has changed its former position and been recently trying to find channels to communicate with the Syrian leadership directly.
Commenting on Russia’s counter terrorism cooperation with other countries, including the United States, Medvedev said “The mandate for counter-terrorism operations must be obtained in accordance with international law and on the basis of a consensus.”
“It’s always bad when this is done on the basis of decisions taken by individual governments, even if they have good intentions,” he noted, adding that “This has happened on many occasions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is happening now in Syria.”
Ruaa al-Jazaeri/Rasha Milhem/Haifa Said
